intlrlns

umm. When is the date to respond to GWU for enrollment? Maybe they're waiting on that to confirm your aid amount? Without looking at the actual letter I don't think anyone can help you with the ambiguity!

Great to know about the capstone project! I'm not a fan of writing another thesis... Also, WIN:

Set on Fletcher for now! Unless my prospective private donor who went to HBS decides to fund my degree.

Sure it's a great degree and holds a lot of value but for a public policy program I think it's disheartening that they can't even offer minimal assistance to those in dire need. Some Harvard PhD students joke around that the HKS students pay for their degrees. Harvard attracts a lot of fully funded students from all over the world. It does not need to give out an exorbitant amount of money to the rest in need. For many candidates the degree could really propel their careers and HKS is truly losing out on some outstanding students.

Congrats AUSAJAG! That's really fantastic. I didn't get any $ so leaning toward Fletcher now... Is anyone taking out the hefty loan for HKS?

Did they mention free tacos on thursday happy hours at Front Page? I was a dedicated fan.

Thanks for your input on the admissions process. Eagerly awaiting the financial aid decisions next week for the MPP program.

Beware though because a lot of them are US citizens. I've tried my luck with Eurasia Group and they hire internationals that have a lot more experience and can start at the higher positions. it will take a lot of networking to secure a job in the private sector but it's doable if you're smart about it right away.

I was an avid gradcafe reader and based on past discussions on student profiles I felt utterly dejected about my chances at the schools I've applied to. One meltdown(by looking at past profiles) and a tough application process later I'm going to end up at HKS after assessing all my choices. I think seeking advice is helpful on this forum or through personal contacts but in the end we need to own our decisions based on personal conviction as well..

I've heard that the Bologna students and DC students find a hard time mixing with each other instantly (they do eventually), given the Bologna students are a tighter group. Plus a lot of the social scene will be determined by you and the other students so it is what you make of it.

I visited the campus and had a few Fletcher friends and I've found it to be quite a bubble. A comfortable one nonetheless but I really don't want to have the 'college experience' all over again..I went to a very small liberal arts college so been there done that. Have to say though Fletcher students are a very supportive group

Well yes, you won't find a majority of the people coming from those industries but you will a good number of economic consultant type people. Even if it revolves around government/law/policy then you have to realize that there is an incredible amount of diversity within those sectors as well. I didn't experience the whole 'name dropping' of institutions as such (except maybe with some people on the Hill) but people are just interested in where you're from and what you do. There's a lot to learn from everyone. If you're looking for the B school type crowd then you'll have to get in touch with the law school kids in the area perhaps--Georgetown and others...I don't know what they're like though...SAIS draws a lot of folks who are changing careers from the private sector finance jobs too. But if you're looking for a homogeneous crowd of the private sector then you'll have to try harder.

Well as much as people like to believe that DC is a pit of grey hair it's not the case. Most people don't live IN DC and there are tons of bars/clubs around in almost every neighborhood. It's also easily accessible from all parts of the city because of the metro (which is god sent compared to the T)...happy hours are incredibly popular and you will find the young professionals socializing until late every weekday. There were a lot of house parties with SAISers and they tend to be more fun than going into the city..although some parties were at clubs where SAIS kids knew the DJ or something and it became a weekly thing. SAIS also has its own happy hour on Fridays (I think..it may have been some other day) where people invite their friends as well. It's a great opportunity to meet some amazing people but don't expect the kind of sucking up that occurs at business school gatherings. People just want to unwind, have a good time, discuss their interests and passions and make some friends. Of course they would be happy to connect you with people but that's not the point. In short, it's all the fun you want. Just don't be a prick because you will find yourself alone in a crowd of incredibly friendly, intelligence people. p.s. There are a lot of undergrad kids around as well so just avoid the 18+ bars if you'd like it so... Did I mention trivia nights? I've met some super fun young think thank professionals at happy hours and trivia nights. Also, you are not constantly surrounded by IR people because DC has such a good mix of industries.

Well to put it slightly back on track, the social life at SAIS is amazing. These people work hard and party hard. Some of my best social gatherings in two years were with the SAISers in DC.

I think the brand name bias in China/India is unjustified to be honest. So I'm not even thinking of that because these guys here (at least in India) have no clue where the brightest minds are and take Harvard to be the golden standard. I think that's false. Thank being said, I value the incredible network that they have. If I take a loan out I'm probably looking for a job that pays in $$ initially so I'm not thinking of India right after graduation.

I did but would take HKS MPP over SIPA MIA any day. Even though I like the MIA curriculum a little better the lack of resources at SIPA is just not worth it...

Thanks for your thoughts on HKS. I'm also debating the same issues but I've talked to a lot of senior folks who are convinced that the HKS network is far superior to the others in the same category. Although I can't afford the price tag I am willing to take out loans because I'm only two years out of undergrad and have plenty of time to build my career after HKS by living a modest life. I don't mind the mountain of debt as long as I can afford a decent lifestyle and a job that I love. Ultimately it is a personal decision to take full tuition loans out for SAIS or HKS. I think I would say I'm being risk-averse by opting for the HKS loan. The network and recognition is definitely a good couple points higher than most others. Besides, it will really come down to how I sell myself to my future employers and how early I start networking..but the HKS tag will definitely help according to most policy practitioners I've spoken to. Again, these are my thoughts on taking full tuition out for HKS vs. any other. p.s. I'm international, not rich, but have no loans from my undergrad US degree

I applied but didn't get any notice on it in the acceptance letter.. I'm assuming I should take it as a no...

Foreign policy think tanks like CSIS, CFR, Brookings and the likes offer unpaid internships only. Many SAISers take them as an alternative to having nothing at all and crowd out the poor undergrads. It can get hectic with work and such but if you manage your time well it can be done. Not to mention that it will in some way contribute to your educational experience as well.

I'm deciding between HKS, SAIS and Fletcher. Tough decisions ahead!

Most students live in Somerville. I have some Fletcher friends who are moving out from their rooms in group houses etc. if you're interested. Send me a message later

Accepted but not a fan of SIPA anymore no funding, unpredictable second-year funding, limited student-faculty interaction etc. make it less attractive to me now....although I would rank Columbia MIA higher than the Harvard MPP...

I don't know if it's possible to speculate right now on the process since it's not explained anywhere...I'm also facing the same dilemma. The only program that has offered me decent funding is Fletcher--19k/year. However, I think the MPP degree is a lot more value added to my experience than the MALD.... Assuming I don't get any aid at HKS the price differential is huge...but it's not like I'm getting fully funded at Fletcher either. Is HKS worth the 19k differential? I don't know. I'm trying to look more into the program, talk to some alumni etc. But if I have to take loans out anyway I'm leaning more towards HKS...of course the prestige and brandname is there but I'm not swayed by just that....19k is the closest I come to being well funded and and in the long run it may not even matter....Anyone have any thoughts?

I think that an additional $5000 is not a bad compromise to make for the Fletcher/GWU tag. You are right about GW's location though. It definitely gives you more time to network/get a part-time job. I like Somerville but I'm not a huge fan of being stuck in the Fletcher bubble for 2 years. DC is just a lot more accessible in that sense. But Fletcher is considered a tier 1 school... I'm trying to decide between Fletcher MALD and Harvard MPP. For me the price difference is probably going to be around 19k (assuming HKS doesn't offer me any $. Their fin aid decisions come out later.) That is a HUGE price difference. I like the MPP program and Harvard opens up a lot of doors with their alumni network but I just can't decide if it's worth that much more money.

Rejected oh well...was hoping to get on the waitlist....congratulations to everyone who got in though! It wasnt the best fit for me but the $$$ would have helped!